How to manage money better + save—5 local pro tips

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Elizabeth Hobbs points to a balloon advertising a sale on crav'n vanilla wafers at a Huntsville grocery store — Prioritizing essentials and spotting sales can free up funds for savings. (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

Zero savings, fresh debt, paycheck to paycheck; any of these sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. Life is expensive lately, and an unexpected setback can wreak havoc for anyone, even for those who generally manage money well.

Locally, many people are rebuilding their finances after recent government furloughs. For context, Redstone Federal Credit Union reported it assisted 1,177 members over that time with $5.6 million in low- and zero-interest loans from late 2025 into April of this year.

So how can you actually plan for the unexpected? And how do you recover quickly after a setback? We checked in with the Redstone member solutions team to find out.

Quick reference

1. Know your resources + ask for help

April James, Redstone Federal Credit Union Manager of Member Services shares the credit union's online tools to manage money with Elizabeth Hobbs — Using your financial institution’s financial wellness tools and staying connected personally can be game-changers for both proactive financial planning and recovering from setbacks. (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

Start by making a list of all of your assets and obligations, including contact information for each account. Then, establish a baseline for where you stand using planning tools and resources from your financial institution.

“Even when working with a counselor, you have to put us in your shoes and see the full picture to help you out, and no one truly knows your finances better than you.”
_{April James, RFCU Manager, Member Solutions}

Redstone offers its members exclusive tools and coaching through its BALANCE financial wellness program, plus in-person planning appointments with the team for members who prefer.

2. Manage money with essentials first

Elizabeth Hobbs completes a budgeting exercise using Redstone Federal Credit Union's online financial planning tools through BALANCE while relaxing at Gold Sprint Coffee — Proactive financial planning starts with a simple list, organized by priority, with must-haves first. (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

When listing all obligations, put the essentials at the top of the list to always pay first:

🏡 Housing
💡 Utilities
🚙 Transportation
🍎 Groceries

If faced with a setback, James recommends immediately starting at the top of the list and working your way down, contacting each institution and explaining your situation. Some may offer temporary relief to help you manage money better through the crisis.

3. Build (or rebuild) emergency savings

April James, Redstone Federal Credit Union Manager of Member Services shows how to use the credit union's online financial tools to set a budget and save — Redstone’s BALANCE program offers a members-only exclusive monthly budget planning calculator to manage money more effectively. (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

If you haven’t already, start an emergency savings fund. And if you had one that helped you through a hard season, prioritize refilling it.

Even if it seems like there’s not much to put away, even a little adds up over time.

4. Tackle debt with a repayment plan

April James, Redstone Federal Credit Union Manager of Member Services shares the credit union's financial planning tools via the BALANCE program with Elizabeth Hobbs — Redstone offers members comprehensive financial wellness tools through its BALANCE program. (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

Establish a structured repayment plan for any debt and add those payments to your obligations list.

While Redstone members get exclusive access to advanced BALANCE tools to manage money better, anyone can use the program’s handy calculators for paying off credit cards or consolidating debt.

5. Set a realistic household budget

Portrait of April James, Redstone Federal Credit Union Manager of Member Services — RFCU Manager, Member Solutions April James and her team love to help members reach their financial goals. (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)

Set a household budget that reflects your actual income, obligations and needs—and be real with yourself on that last one. That could mean turning a daily coffee habit into a weekly treat or dining out at places where kids can eat free.

Big changes come through small adjustments, and it’s important to allow yourself some grace, too, James told us.

“If you’re recovering from a setback, remember it’s just a season, something that’s temporary and not going to last forever. As long as you make those steps toward trying to get out of it, you’ll eventually get out of the mud.”
_{April James, RFCU Manager, Member Solutions}

Discover why more than 544,000 members have placed their trust in Redstone + how to become a member yourself.

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